A Story in 26 parts - V

Very slowly Albert looked towards the hooded creature
“Who ARE you?  Where did you come from? Why do I .. ow! That hurts!”
“Careful – those darts are dangerous” replied the hooded man

“But why are they hovering like that – why haven’t they embedded into us” said Albert

“CONTROLLUS DESCENDUM”  Merlin’s voice commanded the Hall – and then quickly added “everyone, cover yourselves!”  The arrows then fell slowly to the floor like wooden snowflakes.

Merlin stood up.  “Albert – meet the Optavo guardians.  When I released Troy from the control of the Optavo, the Optavo automatically called for the souls of the bodies that it has claimed in the past.  The guardian with whom you are talking to … is Arthur and Troy’s father!”

Troy snuffled on the ground, then rolled to a sitting position.  “Father? Where?”
Merlin responded slowly “Troy – this is your father, Uther. Like you he too fell under the spell of the Optavo – when you descended to that dark place the Optavo found you and made its soul connection to you. I broke that link so you are no longer in its powers.  I believe that Sparta still holds the Pandora Box, which will contain the evil within the Optavo.  But Sparta must move quickly – with the guardians here now I know that the Optavo will call to them.”

“But can’t we stop them?” asked Troy

“Yes” said Arthur – and he turned towards the guardian “Father – who is the leader of this group?”

The Guardian drew back his hood.  The black shapes swirled into a vague, whispy head – but this was no solid thing “My son – you have grown; you and Troy.  I remember when I had to leave you in foster care with Merlin – who has taught you well in so many things; Merlin – you have my thanks. You ask me who the leader is; I kneel before you as that soul”

Arthur stroked his blue face. “I thought that would be the case, Guardian…” quickly and without warning Arthur swung the sword – not downwards but up, raising Albion above his head, but slicing through the Guardian as he did so.  The Guardian’s mists swirled before dispersing to the air.  The whispered cries could be heard as the other guardians also misted and disappeared

“Arthur – that was father – what have you done?!” cried Troy He stood with his hand on his sword again.  Merlin stepped between them.

“Stop Troy – Arthur just did as he was asked.  When you were boys I knew of the Optavo and knew that you – Troy – would become enchanted by the Optavo.  I also knew that your sword, Albion, would be your soul protector.  But if you were to fall to the Optavo you would not be able to protect your soul – so you needed a guardian… and the best person would be Arthur.  So we arranged the competition – and arranged that you would lose your sword to Arthur.  If Arthur had not had the sword at that point and taken your fathers soul you would have become a Guardian yourself – and would have become the leader; your knowledge would be far greater than that of your father.  It was only by chance that I managed to stop the arrow heads from hitting anyone – or they too would have become soul guardians…”

“… in that case, we may have a problem Merlin”  Everyone turned to see Bernice, stood there. “I seem to have not ducked in time – and look… “ she looked down as everyone else did, to see a single arrow embedded in her leg. 

“Merlin, do I have much time left?”